AQA-style exam questions.
Answer the questions by typing your answers into the red boxes.
The Road to World War II
1 Describe the events of August-September 1939, leading to Britain’s declaration of war of 3 September 1939. [4]
2
Monsieur Flandin emphasized that … if we failed to meet the present challenge, who could possibly say that Germany would be stopped in her next venture?
Monsieur Flandin, French Foreign minister, speaking at a meeting of 13 March 1936 with Anthony Eden (British Foreign Minister) trying to persuade him to send troops to resist Hitler’s remilitarisation of the Rhineland.
In this statement, M. Flandin argues that – if the powers did not stand up to Hitler – it would only be a matter of time before Germany tried something else.
Do you agree that the failure of Britain and France to resist Hitler’s remilitarisation of the Rhineland encouraged him to carry on increasing his power?
Explain your answer by referring to the purpose of the source, as well as using its content and your knowledge. [6]
3 Who bears the greater responsibility for the outbreak of the Second World War:
a. Chamberlain, or
b. Hitler?
You must refer to both leaders when explaining your answer. [10]
Markscheme
1 Describe the events of August-September 1939, leading to Britain’s declaration of war of 3 September 1939. [4]
L1 / Basic generalisation, random fact or gives an example / 1L2 / Detailed* description of ONE aspect of the conference OR general statements about a number of aspects / 2-3
L3 / Detailed* description of TWO OR MORE aspects / 4
* ‘detail’ includes anything which ‘puts flesh on the bones’ – so, for example, the pupil might mention that Britain promised to defend Poland (= ‘an aspect’ of the Conference); detail here might include mention of the Common Defence Pact, mention of either date (30 March or 25 August), citing the quote: ‘all support in their power’, or stating that Britain’s promise caused Hitler to postpone his planned invasion.
2
Monsieur Flandin emphasized that … if we failed to meet the present challenge, who could possibly say that Germany would be stopped in her next venture?
Monsieur Flandin, French Foreign minister, speaking at a meeting of 13 March 1936 with Anthony Eden (British Foreign Minister) trying to persuade him to send troops to resist Hitler’s remilitarisation of the Rhineland.
In this statement, M. Flandin argues that – if the powers did not stand up to Hitler – it would only be a matter of time before Germany tried something else.
Do you agree that the failure of Britain and France to resist Hitler’s remilitarisation of the Rhineland encouraged him to carry on increasing his power?
Explain your answer by referring to the purpose of the source, as well as using its content and your knowledge. [6]
L1 / Offers shallow/general statement only OR a learned response showing limited relation to the specific source / 1L2 / Simple explanations of why the interpretation was made OR simple general comments about how Hitler was encouraged by his success in the Rhineland. / 2-3
L3 / EIHER explained evaluation of the provenance of the source OR developed argument about how Hitler was encouraged by the failure of the powers to stop him remilitarising the Rhineland. / 4-5
L4 / Answer uses both parts of L3 / 6
3 Who bears the greater responsibility for the outbreak of the Second World War:
c. Chamberlain, or
d. Hitler?
You must refer to both leaders when explaining your answer. [10]
L1 / Offers shallow/general/descriptive statement(s) only; one mark only for one leader only, two marks if mentions both leaders. / 1-2L2 / EITHER detailed exploration of one idea, substantially supported by facts and explanation OR shallower explorations of a number of ideas (though still including some explanation and facts). / 3-5
L3 / Structured answer adducing ideas for both sides of the argument, including one idea substantially supported by facts and explanation / 6-8
L4 / Balanced, structured answer adducing ideas addressing both sides of the argument, including TWO OR MORE ideas substantially supported by facts and explanation.
Answer must finish with a justified/explained judgement to earn full marks. / 9-10